Miners, millers seek tight security
GOLD miners and millers have pleaded for tight security due to the increased number of robberies in mining areas.
Miners have said they feel unsafe when delivering gold due to the rising numbers of armed robberies, hence they need to be escorted with tight security. Speaking at the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) gold millers meeting on Friday in Bulawayo, Mthandazo Women Mine in Gwanda owner Mrs Sithembiso Ndlovu said women in mining felt they were the most targeted group when it came to robberies.
“We are the most targeted group when it comes to robbery, it seems like the thieves have observed how we are operating especially when we go to carbon processors where we exchange our gold for money,” said Mrs Ndlovu.
ZMF co-vice-president Mr Mafura Sithole said engaging the police while transporting gold from one place to the other was the best way to curb cases of robberies in the sector.
“There is a need for police escort when one is transporting gold whether processed or not so as to make sure that one is safe. Also one needs to go to the police station to ask for police escort during and after carbon processing so as to be safe.
“Recently in Kwekwe a miner was robbed of US$45 000 just after finishing carbon processing due to lack of tight security hence I advice you to go to the police and ask for protection so that you are escorted during and after processing the gold,” he said.
Mr Sithole also advised miners and millers to work with ZMF so as to improve the mining industry and contribute to the US$12 billion mining sector by 2030. A miner from Munam Mine in Esigodini, Mr Amen Gumbi also noted that miners were being “harassed” by the Environmental Management Agency (Ema) officials.
“Ema wants foreign currency and most of the time they do not have change, so they must also accept bond notes and swipe like other companies for easy payments,” said Mr Gumbi.
The Sunday News